23 June 2022
Ref: DOIA 2122-2103
Ziyun Wang
[FYI request #19276 email]
Dear Ziyun,
Thank you for your email of 5 May 2022 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) the following information:
“Given the rapidly approaching starting date of the employer accreditation applications, I
am writing to kindly request the most recent copies(and notes) of any official
consultation/discussion Immigration New Zealand has had with the Government in
relation to future Work and Resident Visa pathways for those Work Visa holders who are
earning below the median wage. It appears that there aren't any viable visa pathways for
them based on the current accreditation policies.”
On 11 May 2022 you clarified your request to be for:
“'written advice presented to the Minister of Immigration in the last 3 months about work
and residence visa options for people earning below the median wage”… “plus any
official response the Minister of Immigration has given on this matter.”
The following documents have been identified in scope of your request listed in the document
table below:
Document Date Title
Decision
type
1 Briefing
3
February 2122-2326 Immigration Rebalance – implementing
Refused under
2022
the changes for employer-assisted workers and
section 18(d)
partners
2
Briefing
3 March 2022
2122-2916 Options to increase visa processing
Some information
capacity
withheld under
sections 6(c),
9(2)(a), 9(2)(f)(iv)
and 9(2)(g)(i)
3
Briefing
5 May 2022
2122-4269 Immigration Rebalance – qualification
Some information
levels for green list occupations and Job Check and withheld under
Accredited Employer Work Visa Instructions
sections 9(2)(a) and
9(2)(f)(iv)
Briefing 2122-2326 is being refused under section 18(d) of the Act as it is currently being
considered for proactive release and will be made publicly available in the near future.
Briefings 2122-2916 and 2122-4269 are being released with some information withheld pursuant
to the following sections of the Act:
Labour, Science and Enterprise 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
W www.mbie.govt.nz
6(c) release would prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention,
investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial,
9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons,
9(2)(f)(iv) to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the
confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials, and
9(2)(g)(i) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank
expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an
organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the
course of their duty.
I am satisfied that, in this circumstance, the withholding of any information is not outweighed by
other considerations that render it desirable to make the information available in the public
interest.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information about how to make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Craig
Manager Immigration (Skills and Residence) Policy
